Technology Showcase a trip through digital age of learning

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Johnston Public Schools held their third annual Technology Showcase last Thursday as part of the districts blended learning initiative. The event supported student successes at all grade levels by showcasing their work through technology while increasing family and community engagement.

“Today is a culmination of the work that we’ve done this year, where we’ve used a blended learning model in schools,” said Early Childhood Center principal Julie-anne Zarrella. “I think it’s exciting, and there’s a much better showing than previous years, which shows us that the technology momentum is building and I’m very excited to be part of this whole project because I can really see the growth in our student outcome performance.”

Participants from every school in town gathered in the Ferri Middle School library where students showcased what they’ve accomplished with technology in their classrooms. On display was featured technology, including Google Classroom, Chromecasts, creating and using playlists, collaboration and analysis of literary pieces, Class DoJo, and music video production.

Deb Ramm who taught fourth grade for 20 years at Graniteville and Barnes Elementary schools before becoming the instructional technology coordinator for Johnston’s Public Schools K-5 classes, helped spearhead the event. She explained how the Early Childhood Center has a Chromebook device for every student, and that the district has six “Lighthouse Classrooms” where each child has their own device and are leveraging technology through blended learning.

Teachers in those classrooms use station rotation models where children move from one activity to the next on a fixed schedule along with individualized plans to ensure the quality of instruction for each student is particular to the student’s needs. While she cites challenges, such as various levels of technology competency for educators, she holds monthly meetings with teachers to collaborate on how to learn and teach. She believes that utilizing new technology and methods will provide a much better future for students.

“I think that we know that these kids are born in the digital age, but knowing that does not mean that they know how to use a digital device for academics. They can play a game, they can level up, so knowing that is where they want to go, we can have some gamification in our education so they can have that opportunity to level up and also move foreward, and that’s been the best part of blended learning,” said Ramm. “We’re no longer teaching just to the entire class, with blended learning, we can give each individual student what they need.”

Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo said that schools plan next year to equip all elementary school students with an electronic device, and money has been set aside to lease those machines. He said efforts to train teachers in use of technology continue, with collaborative sessions taking place that allows ideas to be exchanged.

“Now there’s a lot of excitement and higher level learning that’s happening throughout the schools in terms of using computers…it’s a better way of learning, they have more access to information, and we just keep growing,” he said. “We’re proud of our faculty for taking the opportunity and going out there and they’ve worked very diligently to help the kids learn.”

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